Archbishop Wenski, South Florida parishioners celebrate election of Pope Leo XIV

South Florida Catholics are celebrating the vote of Pope Leo XIV the church s first American pope Parishioners were inside Mass at St Martha Catholic Parish in Miami Shores when news broke that there was white smoke coming from the chimney early Thursday afternoon My trusted just whispered in my ear that there s been white smoke explained Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski The news hit close to numerous of the faithful in South Florida A special moment announced a parishioner Rosie Anderson another parishioner at St Martha noted she was optimistic Right as I was going down to communion I saw the announcement she revealed Habemus Papam We re very happy Pope Leo is the th pope of the Catholic Church He is noted to be socially progressive I explained the people that their prayers must have been very effective because the white smoke came out while we were praying at Mass disclosed Wenski Leo s predecessor Pope Francis was largely beloved for his humanitarian approach to issues on the hearts of the South Florida population Wenski disclosed Leo s name may indicate a similiar path Leo the Great the first pope called Leo was the one that that stopped Attila the Hun when he was about to sack Rome So he held back the barbarians and perhaps in this world this day we need somebody to hold back the barbarians as well explained Wenski With South Florida home to one of the the majority diverse and predominantly Latin populations in the country parishioners are hopeful that the newly elected pope will follow in the footsteps of his predecessor taking a more humanitarian approach when it comes to issues like immigration social justice and capital punishment The church teaches about the human dignity of all people from conception to natural death and that s why we promote a consistent ethic of life protecting life in the womb opposing the death penalty advocating for the rights of movers et cetera mentioned Wenski Anderson reported all South Florida Catholics have a voice in the church We get guidance from the pope absolutely There s no question about it But all of us have a part in this and we have a part in this right here on the street with our brothers and our sisters she commented During a Thursday morning press conference Wenski mentioned Pope Leo is years old which is in the mid-range of ages of cardinals who were up for poll He hopes that just like his age Leo s guidance falls right in the middle